The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG Roadster stands as a titan in automotive history, a beacon of rarity and unparalleled performance. With a mere handful ever produced and examples like this boasting almost delivery-mileage condition, its allure is undeniable. Originating from a private collection in Saudi Arabia, this particular model is one of just six roadsters ever crafted, solidifying its status as an exceptional feat of engineering and a direct descendant of a racing legend from the late 1990s.
Born from the white-hot crucible of motorsport competition, the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR emerged from Mercedes-AMG’s ambition to dominate the FIA GT Championship. Regulations mandated that participating manufacturers produce street-legal versions of their GT1 race cars for homologation purposes. This ingenious rule ensured a tangible link between the blistering performance on the track and vehicles accessible (albeit to a very select few) on public roads. To meet these stringent homologation requirements, Mercedes-Benz meticulously engineered and built a limited run of 25 road-going cars. This comprised 20 coupes and an astonishingly scarce six roadster variants, with the inaugural street-legal coupe rolling off the production line in late 1998. The roadster, unveiled subsequently, amplified the exclusivity, its open-top configuration rendering it an even more unique iteration of the already exceptionally rare CLK-GTR lineage.
Alt text: Side profile of a silver Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG Roadster showcasing its long wheelbase and aggressive aerodynamic lines, emphasizing its racing heritage.
Both the coupe and roadster embodiments of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG remained remarkably faithful to their racing counterparts from an engineering standpoint. Subtle modifications were implemented to render them road-suitable, including a marginally elevated ride height to navigate public roads and the incorporation of comfort amenities. However, beneath the veneer of road-going usability resided the heart and soul of a GT1 champion.
Propelling the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG Roadster into the realm of hypercar performance was a formidable 6.9-liter V12 engine. This powerhouse, directly derived from the racing variant, unleashed a staggering 612 horsepower. This immense power translated into breathtaking acceleration, catapulting the car from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds, and enabling it to reach a top speed exceeding 200 mph, approximately 208 mph. In its era, the CLK-GTR stood as one of the most potent and rapid machines on the planet, delivering a driving experience on public roads that mirrored the intensity of top-tier GT racing, a feat unmatched by almost any contemporary vehicle.
Alt text: Close-up of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG’s 6.9-liter V12 engine, highlighting its massive size and intricate engineering, symbolizing high performance and power.
The genesis of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR traces back to the 1997 FIA GT Championship, where it immediately asserted its dominance. Equipped with a 6.0-liter V12 engine in its initial racing form and cutting-edge aerodynamics, the race-spec CLK-GTR clinched the championship title in its debut season. This resounding victory cemented Mercedes-AMG’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the GT1 category. Remarkably, the CLK-GTR was conceived and developed in a mere 128 days, a testament to the unparalleled engineering expertise and rapid development capabilities of Mercedes-AMG. The CLK-GTR continued its triumphant streak into 1998, securing another FIA GT Championship crown, although it encountered increased competition from rivals such as Porsche and Toyota as the season progressed.
Alt text: Action shot of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG race car competing in the FIA GT Championship, demonstrating its speed and agility on the track, emphasizing its racing pedigree.
Following the FIA GT Championship’s decision to discontinue the GT1 category after the 1998 season, Mercedes-Benz pivoted its focus towards the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. This strategic shift led to the development of the Mercedes-Benz CLR, an evolution of the CLK-GTR meticulously engineered for the rigors of endurance racing. However, the CLR’s Le Mans campaign in 1999 is infamously etched in motorsport history due to critical aerodynamic instability issues. The cars dramatically became airborne at high speeds during both practice sessions and the race itself, culminating in spectacular and concerning crashes. These alarming incidents prompted Mercedes-Benz to withdraw from top-level endurance racing for a significant period in the aftermath.
This specific CLK-GTR Roadster, displaying an astonishingly low 22 kilometers on its odometer, represents an immaculate embodiment of the road-legal iteration of Mercedes’ GT1 racing legacy. The roadster configuration, with its open-top design, elevates the rarity quotient of an already exceptionally limited production, high-performance supercar, making it even more desirable for discerning collectors.
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG Roadster in pristine condition, highlighting its aggressive front fascia and low-slung profile, emphasizing its collector’s item status.
With its roots firmly planted in the annals of racing history, the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG Roadster stands as one of the most significant homologation cars ever brought to fruition. The confluence of extreme scarcity, direct lineage to a championship-conquering race car, and untouched, as-new condition renders it an exceptionally coveted collector’s item. Encountering one of these automotive unicorns in such pristine condition is akin to stepping back in time to the golden age of GT1 racing, a testament to a remarkable era of motorsport and automotive engineering prowess.
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